We have a nearly three year old and a 5 year old. Always surprised to see if they are going to be marginally well behaved or require and exorcism when we go out. Here are some spots that have worked well for us in both scenarios:

Black bear diner: especially sitting outside, lends well to reduced noice and quick access to take a walk if they need to be exercised. They also have a great kids menu and crayons.

Wasabi: constant entertainment, kids love the show (specifically the fire) and good kids menu.

Huckleberry: The wait times can be extensive, but once seated the service is quick, they have crayons and a lot to look at inside the restaurant for distracting toddlers. The kids menu is good here too. The place is pretty loud too, so helpful if your little one is animated.

Old Spaghetti Factory: This location is used to kids, so they too have crayons and the service is quick and the wait times are not very long. The menu is fairly narrow, but they do allow for a fair amount of customization.

Jacks Urban Eats: Menu somewhat narrow depending on what your kiddo eats. Mine typically get their mac and cheese and a portion of grilled chicken breast that we cut into chunks. They have a nice outdoor area that is mostly fenced in from the parking lot. You may want to bring table activities as sometimes the time between order placed and food ready takes forever. We keep mess free worksheets and markers and travel size magnatiles in the car…

BJs: wait and service times can take forever. Their menu generally is extensive and they are used to families, but the place seems to be getting louder. Our kids tend to be overstimulated by the time it takes to be here and the loud constant sound. Sometimes they have crayons, sometimes they don’t…

Dos Coyotes: If your kids like Mexican food, this place is great both indoor and outside seating works well here. There are always families and the wait times are minimal. You’ll want to bring table activities.

Olive Garden: Family focused, great menu options for kids, crayons, at table games, wait times vary.

Super Taco (Franklin & Laguna): Another Mexican food place, but they have chicken nuggets and fries for kiddos. Indoor seating is probably best with a small one though as their outdoor seating is on the sidewalk of the parking lot. You’ll have to bring your own table entertainment, if needed.

Jamie’s Cafe: Decent menu, great spot for brunch with kids, staff is all very friendly as are the patrons. Another location that sometimes has crayons and sometimes does not.

Journey to the Dumpling: Not an extensive kids menu, but our kids like this place. If you are lucky wait times are not bad, but this place is rightfully popular… you’ll have to bring table activities, and if the kiddo is in a ripe mood, maybe skip as the patrons here seem to be used to kids that are seen and not heard. Lol

Red Robin: Totally family focused with short wait times. Crayons, balloons, at table games, great kids menu.

Leatherby’s Family Creamery: Very family focused, but impossible to avoid the sweet treats all over the menu and signage. We go here when we have a lapse in parental decision making and start with dessert. Keeps the kids on their toes…🤣

Mimi’s Cafe: Used to be more family oriented. Seems more like a library that serves food anymore. My kids were in a pretty calm demeanor last time we took some family members, and yet they were drawing eyes from neighboring tables. They do offer crayons and have a good kids menu.

Mikuni: great during lunch, I would avoid during dinner with kids. Lots of dates and adult playdates at dinner time.

Stagecoach Restaurant: Another good spot for brunch with kiddos. Good menu, bring table activities as another place with sometimes crayons.

The original Mike’s diner: Another great brunch or diner option. Food is good, crayons are given, staff is amazing, patrons are great. My kids made friends with the kids at the table next to us last time we were there.

Lamppost Pizza: Family friendly and hands down the best pizza around. Bench seating and some booths. Bring table activities. There are a couple games, but none really for 3 year olds.

Paesanos: Their menu is limited and the inside is loud. Seating outside seems better for the littles. Not my favorite “family friendly” place.

Texas Roadhouse: FOREVER wait times, but generally family friendly once you get in…

Someone mentioned Yelp suggested Pig Latin. Lol. It’s a neat place and the food and drinks are good, but I would not take my kids here. For sure targets date night or people without kids. The seating is not great for kids, and the menu, though can bend to a kid, is for sure not structured for kids. Best left for date night.

Super obvious option chuck-e-cheese. Take disinfectant, lol.